2008 Illinois Recruiting

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Rivals $

7/29

The Recruiting Scoop from O&B News...updates on prospects like Reggie Ellis, Flash Thomas, Corey Liuget, Paris Cotton, etc.

[GoIllini121]

An overall positive article, but I would expect nothing less from O and B news. The analysis sounds about right though from all the info that I have read. Could be a hell of a recruiting class if we get some of those guys.

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Daily Herald | Recruiting bliss for Illinois

By Lindsey Willhite

There's one small problem with Illinois' remarkable Rose Bowl-tinted success.

There might not be enough scholarships to accommodate all of the recruits who want to become Illini.

Did you ever think you'd read that sentence with a straight face?

"My phone is blowing up right now," Illinois coach Ron Zook said.

Continued...

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Rivals $

1/9

O&B News' predictions on the remaining Illini targets.

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Rivals $

1/13

This week in Illinois recruiting...updates on visits.

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Free Rivals

1/14

Eight players have enrolled early...Jeff Allen, Reggie Ellis, Jarred Fayson, Mikel LeShoure, Whitney Mercilus, Graham Pocic, Fred Sykes and Ashante Williams.

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Scout.com: Eight Gridders Join Illini Squad

By Kedric Prince
Publisher
Posted Jan 15, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, lll. - Eight football players, seven freshmen and one transfer, enrolled in classes toMondayday at the University of Illinois and will join the Illini football team for winter and spring workouts.

Continued...

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Rivals $

1/20

Updates and predictions for the remaining targets on Illinois' board.

[wadc45]

ESPN - Class of 2008 Big Ten recruiting overview, part one - Insider

Signing day storylines: Around this time last year, Ron Zook's impressive class after consecutive two-win seasons raised some eyebrows around the country. Conversely, a Rose Bowl Illinois team this year may not have landed any 2008 prospects in the mold 2007's No. 1-rated defensive end Martez Wilson or No. 3-rated receiver Arrelious Benn, but the Zooker has displayed his recruiting touch once again with quite possibly a far more balanced and deeper class. Led by ESPN 150 corner Patrick Nixon (Jacksonville, Fla./Middleburg), the Fighting Illini boast 15 prospects rated at 77 or higher on the Scouts Inc. scale compared to last year's six.

Despite landing Benn in 2007, Illinois will lack good receiver depth the next few years and filled some of that void with Alfred Jenkins (Jacksonville, Fla./Terry Parker), a potential playmaker at the next level, and Cordale Scott (Cleveland/Glenville), a smooth, big-play possession receiver. ESPN 150 6-foot-3 receiver Kenny Tate (Forestville, Md./DeMatha Catholic) is also looking strongly at Champaign as well. Look for Deries Hodge (Harrisburg, Pa./Milford), an explosive power-back currently prepping at Milford Academy, to get some carries next year with Rashard Mendenhall declaring early for the NFL draft.

Continued...

[Goat Punishment]

I believe this class (if Nixon and Liguet sign) will have just as many impact players as last year, if not more. Good depth at nearly every position, strong quality too.

Of course, the whole "Deries Hodge . . . get some carries next year" kind of takes away from the reliability (or "in the know") aspect of the writer. Though, how could some ESPN insider know that Hodge is not going to qualify and will probably never suit up for the O&B? Oh wait, an "insider" should have more knowledge than what is posted on the main "scout" page.

[lopo89]

I read the entire article. The only thing i disagree about is the "lack" of WRs Illinois will have for the next few years.

Um...we may be young this year but Jenkins, Scott, Benn, Gamble, Cumberland, James, Sykes, Fayson ('09), and others provide a damn good WR corp. Its just inexperienced.

[Orange&Blue]

Originally Posted by lopo89

I read the entire article. The only thing i disagree about is the "lack" of WRs Illinois will have for the next few years.

Um...we may be young this year but Jenkins, Scott, Benn, Gamble, Cumberland, James, Sykes, Fayson ('09), and others provide a damn good WR corp. Its just inexperienced.

Fine, let's analyze it:
For next season, '08, the only guy that we can actually consistently count on will be Benn. Fayson will be sitting out one year. Jenkins, Scott, Sykes will be true freshman, and true freshman, even the superstars, usually don't dominate their true freshman year. James will be coming off an ACL tear, and most that have suffered the injury will tell you that it takes 2 years to come back from an ACL tear. Cumberland and Gamble are toss-ups because they can be good if they were consistent, but will they stay consistent? So in the end, I'll agree that next year we will struggle at WR just like the writer stated.

As for '09, we once again can count on Benn, but what about everyone else? There was a time when we recruited James, Wilkins, Cumberland, and it's taken them more than two years to progress, so I don't think we can count on our current crop to not take at least as long.

In conclusion, we are still mostly potential.

[lopo89]

I agree but there's a difference between saying a team has a lack of WRs compared to a team that has a lot of inexperienced WRs. We'll have two outstanding WRs with one year of experience - Benn (one arm Benn this year) and Cumberland. That'll take the pressure off of C. James to come back immediately as the no.2 WR.

[Goat Punishment]

So, the question is numbers or quality/experience. I think I agree with both of you... O&B is right, we have very little experience coming back at wideout, and even less production (especially if Gamble moves to safety). However, I agree with what I believe Lopo's argument is, in terms of numbers and potential, we are looking good for the future. In 2008, we can put out there, Benn, Cumberland, Wilkins, James, Hudson, and Judson all of who have been with the team for at least a year. Sykes will be here for Spring Ball (though he seems to be behind due to his HS team NEVER throwing the ball). In the fall we will welcome highly touted freshmen Jenkins and Scott, and possibly (depending on position) Ramsey, Sanni, Ellington, and Tavon Wilson (yes, I know, he is recruited as DB, but was first team all region as WR).

So, by that count, at the start of 2008, we have 6 players with experience, one true frosh with spring ball experience, and at least 2 four-star WR that will be true freshmen, and another four (or more, looking at you Mr. Tate) possibilities at WR.

The NUMBERS are there, will there be production? Who knows. I sure hope so, but that is also up to Juice/McGee and whether we find the quality RB/RBs to make our running game go.